Subsurface valve apparatus



Oct. 3, 1961 M. B. CONRAD SUBSURFACE VALVE APPARATUS Filed April 21, 1958 2 She ets-Sheet 1 l J5 l I J5] 50 ffm, l

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Oct. 3, 1961 M. B. CONRAD 3,002,724

SUBSURFACE VALVE APPARATUS Filed April 21, 1958 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BY` A r roe/VE X5 United States Patent O l 3,002,724 SUBSURFACE VALVE APPARATUS Martin B. Conrad, Downey, Calif., assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Apr. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 729,973 11 Claims. (Cl. 251-347) The present invention relates to subsurface well devices for employment in well bores, and Imore particularly to subsurface valve apparatus for controlling the ow of fluid in tubular strings, and the like, disposed in the well bores.

A valve apparatus may be incorporated ina tubular string disposed in a well bore to control the ilow of uid in the tubular string. If the apparatus is specifically designed to control passage of uid between the interior and exterior of the tubular string the pressure of the uid in the tubular string, or externally thereof, tends to shift the valve apparatus inadvertently to a particular position, as to an open position, which may not *be desirable.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a valve apparatus for use in a well bore which resists the tendency of either internal or external pressure diiferentials, or both, to shift the valve from a particular condition, such as a closed condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve `apparatus for use in a well bore, in which the tendency of the apparatus to be shifted hydraulically from aparticular desired condition is resisted frictionally, the degree of frictional resistance being generally proportional to the hydraulic pressure. Thus, as the pressure increases, the `frictional resistance to movement of the valve apparatus `automatically increases, oisetting the tendency of the pressure to change the condition of the valve.

A further object of `the invention is to provide` a relatively simple and economical manner ofv offsetting" the tendency of uid pressure in -a valve apparatus to shift the valve apparatus from a desired condition, such `as a closed condition. A

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of la form in which itwmay be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the `invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section through a valve apparatus embodying the invention, the valve being disclosed in an open condition; i

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, the valve being disclosed in a closed condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through the valve apparatus in the closed condition shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. `4 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 4-4 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 5-5 onFIG. l.

The Valve device A illustrated in the drawings is particularly designed for use between a tubular string B, such as ia string of drill pipe or tubing, extending to the top of the well bore, and a `lower tool C, only the body portion of which is disclosed. Such lower tool may be a set-down type of well packer, which may have slips (not shown) .for anchoring the Well packer to a well casing 3,002,724 Patented Oct. 3, 1961 ICC yagainst downward movement therein, and a packing structure (not shown) for sealing oi against the wall of the well casing. The valve apparatus A can control passage of fluid between its interior and its exterior, depending upon the relative positions between telescopically arranged inner and outer tubular members 10, 11.

As shown, the outer tubular member 11 is constituted as a valve housing including an upper housing member or sub 12 having an upper threaded boX 13 for threaded attachment to the lower pin 14 of the tubular string B, This upper housing member 12 is threadedly secured Within a lower housing member 15 having one or a plurality of side ports 16 through its wall. Mounted within the housing is a Valve sleeve 17 including a circumferentally continuous upper portion 18 engaging the inner wall of the upper housing member 12. This circunrferentially continuous portion has an inner cylindrical valve seat 19 therein surrounding the central passage through the sleeve. Depending from and integral with the circumferentially continuous portion 18 are a plurality of circumferentially spaced gripping elements or fingers 20, which have inner gripping surfaces 21 lying on a cylinder and outer cam portions 22, 23 receivable within an internal tapered groove 24 defined in the housing between the lower end or cam 2S of the upper housing member and the tapered lower cam surface 26 on the lower housing member z1S. This lower cam surface 26 is inclined in a downward and inward direction, coacting with companion downwardly and inwardly inclined cam surfaces 23 on the fingers 20. The upper side 25 of the internal groove 24 is also constituted as a cam surface inclined in an upward and inward direction coacting with companion tapered surfaces 22 on the gripping elements or fingers. The cam Surfaces may be disposed above the side ports 16 with the fingers 20 substantially free of the side ports so as to permit essentially free ilow of fluid through the side ports 16 between the interior and the exterior of the valve apparatus A.

The inner tubular mandrel 10 is telescopically arranged in the outer member 11, depending therefrom and having a lower threaded pin 27 for threaded attachment to the upper box portion 28 of the lower tool C, such as the setdown type of well packer. This mandrel 10 projects upwardly into the lower end of the housing and has an upper cylindrical head 29 adapted to seat within the valve seat 19 when the side ports 16 are to be closed, the extent of relative upward movement of the innermandrel 10 within the valve seat 19 being determined by engagement `of the upper end 30 of the inner mandrel with an inwardly directed stop shoulder 31 on the sleeve 17.( When the cylindrical valve head 29 is disposed within the seat 19, a cylindrical external gripping surface 32 on the mandrel is disposed within and in snug engagement with the inner cylindrical gripping surfaces 21 on the gripping ngers 20, there being frictional contact between these surfaces. With the valve head 29 disposed within its seat 19, leakage therebetween is prevented by a suitable side seal ring 33, such as a rubber or rubber-like 0I ring, mounted within an internal groove 34 in the sleeve 17 and sealingly engaging the periphery of the valve head 29. Leakage of fluid around the exterior ofthe valve sleeve 17 is prevented by a seal ring 35, such as a rubber or rubber-like 0 ring, disposed in an external groove 36 in the sleeve and sealingly engaging the inner wall of the upper housing member 12.

As stated above, the relative upward position of the inner mandrel 10 within the outer housing 11 is limited by engagement of the end 30 of the mandrel with the stop shoulder 31, in which position the side ports 16 are closed and -tiuid is incapable of passing between the interior and exterior` of the val-ve apparatus A. Relative downward location of `the inner mandrel or tubular member relative to the outer tubular member or housing 11, to place the side ports 16 in an open position, is limited by engage- .ment of a mandrel flange 37 with an inwardly directed lower Yflange or shoulder 38 at the lower portion of the housing. When such llanges 37, 38 are engaged, the upper end 30 of the mandrel is disposed substantially below the lower ends of the lingers 2li and to one side of the side ports 16, permitting iluid to pass with substantially no restriction between the interior and the exterior of the valve apparatus.

In order to appropriately manipulate the lower tool C, it may be necessary to transmit torque between the outer and the inner tubular members 11, 1li. For this reason, a slidable spline connection is provided therebetween. Thus, a longitudinally extending key 39 may be secured to the lower housing member 15, as by means of the plug welds 4l?, this key tting within a keyway or longitudinal groove 41 in the external mandrel llange A3'7. Thus, as the outer housing 11 moves downwardly 'or upwardly relative to the inner mandrel 10, a torque transmitting connection is always maintained therebetween.

As specifically shown, it is desired to initially maintain the valve in an open condition, in which the outer housing 11 is extended relative to the inner mandrel 10, such extended position being limited by engagement of the housing flange 38 with the mandrel flange 37. The rhousing 11 cannot move inadvertently downwardly of the mandrel 10 to close the valve, since such movement is resisted lby a retaining member in the form of a split, linherently contractile retaining ring 42 mounted within a peripheral groove 43 in the mandrel and extending outwardly of its periphery for engagement by the lower end of the housing 15. The lower inner portion 44 of the ring may be tapered, being inclined in an upward and inward direction and coacting with a companion tapered or cam surface 45 at the lower side of the peripheral groove 43, such that exertion of a suicient downward force on the housing 11 and the ring 42 will cause the cam surfaces 44, 45 to expand the ring from the groove 43 and then permit the housing 11 to move downwardly along the mandrel 10, shifting the ring 42 along the periphery of the latter until the ring snaps into a lower peripheral groove 46. By the time the ring snaps intoV this latter groove, the housing 11 will have been lowered suiciently to place the cylindrical seat 19 and the gripping elements completely over the cylindrical valve head 29 and the cylindrical gripping surface 32, respectively, in which position the valve is closed. y

After the retaining ring 42 has been removed from its upper retaining position within the upper mandrel groove 43, the valve housing 11 can be raised and lowered in order to shift the valve apparatus between open and closed positions.

In the use of the apparatus A, it is secured to the lower tool C, such as the set-down type of well packer, and also to the tubular string B, by means of which the Valve apparatus A and the lower tool C are lowered in the well casing (not shown) to the desired location. At this time, the retaining ring 42 is in the upper groove 43, holding the valve in the open condition, such that fluid `can llow freely in both directions between the interior and the exterior of the valve apparatus A and the tubular string B. When the location in the well casing is reached, at which the tool is to be anchored, it is suitably manipulated, usually by turning the tubular string B, this motion being transmitted from the outer housing 11 through the key and key-way connection 40, 41 to the mandrel 10, and from the mandrel to the lower tool C. The tubular string B is then lowered a relatively short distance, this lowering movement being transmitted through the housing 11 and the retaining ring 42 to the inner'tubular member 10 and from this latter member to the lower tool C, effecting its anchoring in packed-oli 4 condition with the well casing, all in a known manner. The downward force requiredA to expand the retaining ring 42 from its holding position in the mandrel groove 43 is quite substantial, and is ordinarily much greater than that required to anchor the lower tool C in packedoit condition in the well casing.

When it is desired to close the Valve A, a suiicient downward force is imposed on the tubular stringV B ,and the housing 11, this downward force being transmitted through the lower housing flange 38 to the retaining ring 42. Since the mandrel 10 vis incapable of moving downwardly, by virtue of the anchoring of the lower tool C against the well casing, an increase in the downward force to a suicient extent will cause the coengaging cam surfaces 44, 45 to expand the retaining ring 42 from its groove 43, then allowing the housing 11 to move downwardly over the mandrel 10, until the stop shoulder`31 on the sleeve engages the upper end 30 of the mandrel 10, at which point the cylindrical valve seat 19 will be disposed over the cylindrical valve head 29, and the cylindrical linger gripping surfaces 21 will be in a position of engagement with the cylindrical gripping surface 312 on the mandrel. At this time, the side ports 16 are closed (FIG. 2).

Pressure may now be imposed upon the fluid in the tubular string B and the valve apparatus A to perform the desired purpose in the well bore. Such pressure acts upon the upper end area of the mandrel 10, which is designated by the letter R in the drawings, this annular area extending from .the inner surface 50 of the mandrel to the cylindrical valve seating surface 19, the pressure tending to shift the mandrel 10 relatively in a downward direction with respect to the housing 11, or to open condition. This same pressure is also acting in an upward direction on the outer housing member 112 over the area designated S, which is the annular area Ybetween the cylindrical seating surface 19 and the inner wall v51 of the housing. This pressure is also acting over substantially the same area R of the shoulder 52 of the upper housing member 12 tending to shift the housing member in an upward direction, or to a valve openingposition. One manner of counteracting the tendency of the fluid pressure within the valve apparatus Ato elevate the housing 11 relative to the mandrel 10, is to impose a downward force on the tubular string B to hold the valve in its closed position. If the iluid in the apparatusV is subjected to very high pressures, a substantial downward holding force on the tubular string B would become necessary to keep the valve in closed condition, which may not be desirable.

By virtue of the present invention, the tendency ofthe fluid pressure within the apparatus to elevate the outer tubular member 11 or to lower the inner tubular member 10, so as to shift the valve apparatus A in open condition, is automatically resisted. It is to be noted that the valve sleeve 17 is movable to a slight extent longitudinally of the outer housing 12V and that the pressure internally of the apparatus will act in a downward direction over theV area S of the valve sleeve between Ythe cylindrical valve seating surface 19 and the inner wall 51 of the housing, shifting the lingers 20 downwardly of the housing and, by virtue of the coengaging lower cam surfaces 23, 26 urging the fingers 20 inwardly so that the inner gripping surfaces 21 contact the external gripping mandrel surface 32 with a much greater force. Thus, as the pressure in the valve apparatus increases, the frictional gripping force between the .lingers 20 and the mandrel 10 increases, which will resist the tendency of the fluid pressure to elevate the housing 11 or lower the mandrel 10 with respect to one another. The friction gripping force can be quite substantial since the force attributable to the pressure acting downwardly on the sleeve over the area S is multiplied by the relatively steep angle that the coengaging cam surfaces 23, 26 make to the axis of the apparatus.

As the internal pressure is relieved, so is the inward camming action on the gripping fingers 20, so that the friction force is decreased. yIf the pressure within the -apparatus is relieved completely, then the friction force of the lingers 20 against the inner mandrel 10 is also relieved or reduced to a rather nominal value, permitting the housing 11 to be moved upwardly relative to the mandrel to shift the valve apparatus A to the open condition illustrated in FIG. 1.

Assuming the valve to be in the closed position shown in FIG. 2, and that a pressure differential exists externally of the apparatus and in the annulus between the tubular string B and the well casing, such pressure may also act on the housing l0 and the mandrel 11 tending to shift them longitudinally relative to each other to a valve opening position. Such pressure will also pass through the ports 16 and will act upwardly on the valve sleeve 17 over the area S, tending to shift it upwardly along the outer housing 12. Such upward movement will cause the upper cam surfaces 22, 25 to coengage and press the gripping elements 20 inwardly to frictionally engage their inner surfaces 21 with the external gripping surface 32 on the mandrel 10. Such friction gripping resists the tendency of the pressure to move the inner and outer tubular members 10, 11 with respect to one another to the valve opening position.

Relieving of the external pressure differential will reduce the friction force between the gripping elements 2t) and the mandrel 10, permitting the tubular string B and the outer housing 11 to be elevated relative to the mandrel to again place the valve apparatus in the port opening condition, such as shown in FIG. 1. The split retainer ring 42 will remain in the lower groove 46, or in an ineffective position, the inner and outer tubular members 10, 11 being shiftable longitudinally with respect to one another to place them in either the port opening or port closing position.

It is, accordingly, apparent that a valve apparatus has been provided in which the tendency of fluid pressure, either internally or externally of the apparatus, to shift the Valve apparatus from a desired condition, such as a closed condition, is resisted by automatically increasing the frictional force tending to hold the inner and outer tubular members 10, 11 in` a desired valve condition. Such force will change in proportion to the pressure.

The inventor claims: i

l. In valve apparatus: an outer tubular member having a central passage; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged within the central passage of said outer member when said valve apparatus is `open and also when said valve apparatus is closed and having a portion projecting longitudinally outwardly of said outer member, said inner member having a central passage coaxial of said other central passage whereby iluid can ow in a straight line path from one passage into the other passage; rst connecting means on said outwardly projecting portion of said inner member for securing said inner member to an adjacent tubing section at one end of said apparatus; second connecting means on said outer member coaxial of said rst connecting means for securing said outer member to an 'adjacent tubing section at the opposite end of said apparatus; coengageable valve elements operatively connected to said members for controlling ow of fluid in said members, said valve elements being shiftable with respect to each other upon relative telescopic movement between said members; and uid pressure operated means on said members responsive to fluid pressure within at least one of said members for resisting relative longitudinal movement between said members.

2. In valve apparatus: an outer member having a central passage: an inner member coaxial of said outer member and disposed within the central passage of said outer member when said valve apparatus is open and also when said valve apparatus is closed and having a portion projecting longitudinally outwardly of said outer member, said inner member having a central passage coaxial of said other central passage whereby uid can ow in a straight line path from one passage into the other passage; iirst connecting means on said outwardly projecting portion of said inner member for securing said inner member to an adjacent tubing section at one end of said apparatus; second connecting means on said outer member coaxial of said iirst connecting means for securing said outer member to an adjacent tubing section at the opposite end of said apparatus; coengageable valve elements operatively connected to said members for controlling ilow of iiuid in said members; and uid pressure operated means on said members responsiveto iluid pressure within at least one of said members for resisting relative movement between said members.

3. In valve apparatus: an outer member having a central passage; an inner member coaxial of said outer member and disposed within the central passage of said outer member when said valve apparatus is open and also when said valve apparatus is closed and having a portion projecting laterally outwardly of said outer member, said inner member having a central passage coaxial of said other central passage whereby fluid can ow in a straight line path `from one passage into the other passage; rst connecting means on said outwardly projecting portion of said inner member for securing said inner member to an adjacent tubing section at one end of said apparatus; second connecting means on said outer member coaxial of said tirst connecting means for securing said outer member to an adjacent tubing section at the opposite end of said apparatus; coengageable valve elements operatively connected to said members for controlling tlow of uid in said members; gripping means on one of said members frictionally engageable with said other member to resist relative movement therebetween; and uid operated means responsive to fluid pressure within at least one of said members for increasing the force of frictional engagement of said gripping means with said other member in response to increase of fluid pressure in one of said members.

4. In valve apparatus: an outer member; an inner member within and coaxial of said outer member; coengageable valve elements operatively connected to said members for controlling ow of lluid in said members; longitudinally movable gripping means on one of said members frictionally engageable with the periphery of said other member to resist relative movement therebetween; coengageable cam means on said gripping means and said one member for urging said gripping means laterally against said other mem-ber upon longitudinal movement of said gripping means relative to said one member; and fluid operated means for moving said gripping means longitudinally relative to said one member.

5. In valve apparatus: an outer tubular member having a tirst central passage; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged within the central passage of said outer member when said valve apparatus is open and also when said valve apparatus is closed, said inner member having a second central passage coaxial of said first central passage whereby lluid can flow in a straight line path from one passage into the other passage; iirst connecting means on said inner member for securing said inner member to an adjacent tubing section; second connecting means on said outer member coaxial of said first connecting means for securing said outer member to an adjacent tubing section; one of said members having a third passage to permit uid to flow between said central passages and the exterior of said member; coengageable valve elements operatively connected to said members for controlling iiow of tluid through said third passage in response to telescopic movement between said members; gripping means on one of said members frictionally engageable with said other member to resist telescopic movement therebetween; and means responsive to uid pressure in at least one of said members for increasing the force of frictional engagement of said gripping means with said other member.

6. In valve apparatus: anv outer tubular member; an inner tubular member ltelescopically arranged within said outer member; one of said members having a passage to permit fluid to ow between the interior and exterior thereof; coengagable valve elements operatively connected toV said members for controlling flow of fluid through said passage in response to telescopic movement between said members; longitudinally movable gripping means on one of said members frictionally engageable with said other member to resist telescopic movement therebetween; coengagable cam means on said gripping means and said one member for urging said gripping means laterally against said other member upon longitudinal movement of said gripping means relative to said one member; and fluid operated means for moving said gripping means longitudinally relative to said one member.

7. In valve apparatus: an outer tubular member; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged within said outer member; one of said members having a passage to permit uid to flow between the interior and exterior thereof; coengagable valve elements operatively connected to said members for controlling ow of iluid through said passage in response to telescopic movement between said members; gripping means on one of said members frictionally engagable with said other member to resist telescopic movement therebetween; coengagable tapered surfaces on said gripping means and said one member for urging said gripping means against said other member upon longitudinal movement of said gripping means relative to said one member; and fluid operated means responsive to the fluid pressure in said member for moving said gripping means longitudinally of said one member,

8. In valve apparatus: an outer tubular member; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged within said outer member; one of said members having a passage to permit uid to How between the interior and exterior thereof; coengagable valve elements operatively connected to said members for controlling ilow of uid through said passage in response to :telescopic movement between said members; longitudinally movable gripping means on said outer member frictionally engageable with said inner memberto resist telescopic movement between said inner and outer members; coengageable cam means on said gripping means and outer member for urging said gripping means inwardly against said inner member upon longitudinal movement of said gripping means relative to said outer member; and uid operated means for moving said gripping means longitudinally relative to said outer member.

9. In valve apparatus: an outer tubular member; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged within said outer member; one of said members having a passage to permit fluid to flow between the interior and exterior thereof; coengageable valve elements operatively connected to said members for controlling ow of fluid through said passage in response to telescopicmovement between said members; gripping means on said'outermember lfrictionally engageable with said inner member to resist telescopic movement between s aid inner and outer members; coengageable tapered surfaces on said gripping means and outer member for urging said gripping means inwardly against said inner member upon longitudinal movement of said gripping means relative to said outer member; and iluid operated means responsive to the fluid pressure in said members for moving said gripping means longitudinally of said outer member.

l0. In valve apparatus: an outer tubular member; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged within said outer member; one of said members having .a Passage to permit fluid to flow between the interior and exterior thereof; a valve Seat in said outer member; a valve head on said inner member engageable with said valve seat to close said passage; longitudinally movable gripping means on said outer member frictionally engageable with said inner member to resist telescopic movement therebetween; coengageable lcam means on said gripping means and outer member for urging said gripping means inwardly against said inner member upon longitudinal movement of said gripping means relative to said outer member; and lluid operated means for moving said gripping means longitudinally relative to said outer member.

1l. In valve apparatus: an outer tubular member; an inner tubular member telescopically arranged within said outer member; one of said members having a passage to permit fluid to ilow between the interior and exterior thereof; a valve seat in said outer member; a valve head on said inner member engageable with said valve seat to close said passage; gripping means on said outer member frictionally engageable with said inner member to resist telescopic movement therebetween; coengageable tapered surfaces on said gripping means and outer member for urging said gripping means inwardly against said inner member upon longitudinal movement ofsaid 4gripping means relative to said outer member; and fluid operated means responsive tothe fluid pressure in said members for moving said gripping means longitudinallyl of said outer member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

